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Happy Friday! Today is 3/14, aka Pi Day. So instead of doing my bi-weekly Food Feature Friday, I’ll be posting a pi(e) recipe instead! This pie isn’t your typical pie. It doesn’t contain any flour, butter, or sugar. There’s no milk or cream. Yet it’s one of the creamiest pies I’ve ever eaten. So what is it, you ask? It’s raw. And vegan. And as far as the internet has told me, this pie doesn’t exist. Yet. Execpt for in my stomach. Right now.

I’ve been wanting to make a raw vegan pie for a while now, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. While I don’t follow a raw or vegan diet, I do tend to incorporate raw/vegan foods into my diet fairly often — and who says your diet has to have labels anyway? Anything that’s healthy, delicious, and REAL is good enough for me. I also wanted the pie to be GREEN for St. Patrick’s Day on Monday! So it’s a Pi-Patrick’s Day Pie. That’s a thing, right?

I’d never used avocado in baked goods before, and the interwebz told me that Avocado Pie is a California “tradition” — but seeing as I’ve lived in California, oh I don’ know, my entirelife and have never tried it before, I think they might be wrong. The traditional recipe calls for condensed milk which is obviously a big no-no if you’re dairy-free or vegan. So I decided to add cashews and banana instead. (P.S. Banana + Avocado = Bananavo… get it?)

So what’s it like? The avocado-cashew-banana base is thick and creamy and while it tastes ever so slightly of avocados, the ginger and banana definitely shine through. The subtly sweet cacao pepita (pumpkin seed) crust pairs perfectly with the soft spice of the filling. And all you need is a food processor to make it. What’s not to love?

I have a secret. I’ve only eaten brussel sprouts twice in my life, this being one of them. Gasp! I know! How could such a veggie lover not have experienced such a wonderful vegetable?

Well let’s be honest… up until the past few years brussel sprouts were, well, slightly less than glamorous in the food world. It was like one day they went from smelly and “ew” to totally posh and trendy (thanks in large part to bacon, I think). BUT there’s another reason I never had brussel sprouts before. My dad LOATHES them. I mean totally and completely hates them. They are the bain of his existence, hence they were never allowed in the house despite the fact that my mom didn’t mind them. Pretty funny, huh?

Although there’s something even more peculiar. My dad is the reason I first tried them. One day he apparently got a little spark in him that made him go to Whole Foods (which isn’t exactly his type of store) and buy us dinner from the food counter. Orange glazed brussel sprouts were one of his picks, just to “give them another chance” — he spit them out as soon as he took a bite. I thought they were okay, but not great. A little sulfurous. Now I just think they weren’t cooked right, because these were delicious. Continue reading →

Coleslaw comes in many forms, but perhaps the most ubiquitous is the cabbage/carrot/mayonnaise concoction so commonly sold in grocery stores. It seems to be an omnipresent staple among spring picnics and summer barbecues, lurking in round plastic containers between the chips and potato salad, with thick white sauce camouflaging the few vegetables inside . While some folks love that white, mayo-laden side dish, I personally cannot stand it. In my mind, too much mayo = a whole lotta yuck. So when I got a beautiful head of cabbage in my CSA box, I put myself to the challenge of creating a no-mayo, sugar-free slaw that was still packed with flavor.

I used creamy avocado and nutritious cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil to create the thick, fatty flavors of the mayonnaise. Toasted sesame oil adds great depth to the sauce while lemon gives it just the right amount of pop. Add in some salt and pepper, and it’s light, crisp, tangy slaw perfection. I like my sauce thinner so I only used half an avocado, but if you like yours a bit thicker just use the whole thing instead.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Though a somewhat cliche holiday, I love taking part in the festivities in one way or another. Usually it’s with themed baked goodies or chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, but this year I’m on such a strict anti-candida diet that those activities are quite unfortunately a no-go. So for all you candida sufferers out there, consider this my Valentine’s gift to you.

Instead, here’s the tasty treat that’s been keeping me sane. It’s made with chia seeds, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (“good fats”), fiber, calcium, and even protein. Mixed with coconut milk, it’s a creamy, delicious dish that’ll keep you satisfied throughout the day.

Even if you don’t make this for Valentine’s, it’s a great dessert to have on hand when cravings strike! Let it set in a small canning jar and you’ll have the perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack. So tasty, so versatile — all you need is a spoon.

I’m still obsessing over the Simple Seasoned Eggplant Steaks that I made a couple weeks ago. The tangy flavor and toothsome texture of the eggplant were so tasty, I just couldn’t pass up using the steaks in another recipe. So here you have it: Vegan Eggplant Burger Stacks!

All the goodness of a lettuce-wrapped burger with no meat — and being a meat-eater myself, I promise you won’t even miss it. After your first crunch of the lettuce “buns” with a delicious assortment of burger toppings, you’ll be a believer. I used tangy red pepper slices, baby spinach leaves, Clean Caramelized Onions (nomz), and creamy avocado slices instead of spread. Feel free to top your burger with your favorite gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or Paleo toppings. The best part about this recipe is how completely customizable it is!

Whether you’re vegan, detoxing, or just looking to get more veggies in your diet, this simple “burger” stack is a perfect, healthy option. Continue reading →